Java Developer jobs

Java developer jobs involve creating and deploying Java applications, plus developing architecture and application code. A junior Java developer will work as part of a team of Java engineers collaborating on product development. A senior Java developer may work in a more solitary mode, producing solutions single-handedly, or as part of a highly skilled development team working on a larger application.

Java jobs fall under the general remit of software engineering, and a Java software developer may report to a senior software engineer, a lead designer or project manager. Depending on the hierarchy of your organisation, a senior Java developer may report directly to an executive or company director.

Typical tasks of a Java developer

A typical Java developer job will involve analysing requirements and sketching out an initial solution concept before writing, refining and testing Java code to turn the concept into an executable reality. This may be done individually or as part of a team, with different functions assigned to different individuals. You may need to edit code written by a different programmer, using their comments to guide your way.

Some Java developer jobs involve working on existing systems rather than developing new programming from scratch. Your role could include evaluating software already in place, identifying potential areas for expansion or improvement, and carrying out programming work to make those changes and expansions.

Where the programming code you develop will need to be used across the organisation, you may be asked to work on supporting technical documentation, including a user guide that can be given to colleagues both within and outside of the IT department, allowing them to use your software correctly.

Qualifications required for a Java developer job

Java developer jobs are typically only available to graduates. You should have a degree pass at 2:1 or better, ideally in a computer science related subject, software engineering, maths or physics. A high pass in a non-related degree may be accepted if you can demonstrate that you have the technical ability and fluent understanding of programming in Java.

If you have a bachelor's or master's degree and want to convert it so you can qualify for jobs in IT, you can undertake a postgraduate IT conversion or technical postgrad course. Alternatively, there are many forms of professional certification and continuing professional development (CPD) that you can undertake, which will give you the necessary accreditation to demonstrate grasp of Java development.

Hard/soft skills needed for a Java developer job

Java software developer jobs require a high level of understanding of the Java programming language, and how the software you develop interacts with the wider systems and IT infrastructure of your organisation. Being able to prove this skill to recruiters will give you an immediate advantage at the application stage.

Java developer jobs also require patience. If a section of code does not execute as expected, you will need to check it line by line for errors as small as a missing semicolon. Lateral thinking may be required, to come at the issue from a new direction to develop an alternative working solution.